The Gunners extended their unbeaten sequence in 2003-2004 to 13 games, beating the previous best start of 12 matches by Liverpool 12 months ago.

Arsenal were severely depleted with Martin Keown, Lauren, Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour suspended and Sylvain Wiltord injured.

There have been question marks over whether they have sufficient strength in depth after Arsene Wenger’s lack of summer spending.

But the Gunners still possessed more quality against Steve Bruce’s side as they regained the number one berth from Manchester United who had defeated Blackburn earlier in the day.

Thierry Henry – rated the best player in the world at present by Bruce – was a constant threat and he will have been disappointed not to have added to his 11-goal tally for the campaign.

Bruce intended to use this game as a yardstick to see how far Blues had progressed after their 4-0 mauling by Arsenal last season.

But, although showing plenty of commitment, they seldom posed a threat to Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann and the major concern to them is a return of just 11 goals in 13 games.

Arsenal were quickly out of the starting blocks and they totally dominated the opening phase of the game.

After four minutes a rare error by City skipper Kenny Cunningham contributed to Ljungberg giving the Gunners the lead.

Cunningham’s attempted clearance was charged down by Dennis Bergkamp who found Henry in space and he slid the ball into the path of the advancing Ljungberg who clinically sent his low shot past Taylor.

Blues midfielder Aliou Cisse was yellow-carded two minutes later for a foul on Bergkamp as Birmingham struggled to find any rhythm.

Henry teed up an opportunity for Bergkamp some 15 yards out but he made a hash of his attempted half volley which flew harmlessly wide.

Henry decided to take on the Birmingham defence singe-handed and a powerful run ended with Taylor clinging onto his low drive from the right side of the penalty area.

Kolo Toure became the first Arsenal player to go into referee Paul Durkin’s note-book after a touch-line challenge on Stan Lazaridis.

Birmingham slowly started to find a foothold in the game and Lazaridis got in front of Pascal Cygan at the near post to meet a cross from David Dunn but he deflected his shot wide.

It was Lazaridis who also had the home side’s first effort on goal after 29 minutes but his shot on the turn was competently dealt with by Jens Lehmann.

A deep cross from the Australian winger was palmed away at full stretch by Lehmann and his corner picked out former Gunner Matthew Upson but his header was high and wide of Lehmann’s goal.

Cisse had to be careful after his early booking and was relieved that Durkin only awarded a free-kick after he sliced down Edu.

Arsenal still looked the more dangerous and it needed good anticipation by Upson to cut out a pass from Bergkamp to Ljungberg.

Taylor kept Blues in the hunt after 48 minutes when Henry looked odds on to add a second goal for Arsenal.

He surged clear of the Birmingham defence after being played into space by Edu but Taylor managed to deflect his shot from 10 yards out around the post and denied him a 12th goal of the campaign.

Henry again found himself behind the City defence after being played onside by Jamie Clapham and his low centre was inadvertently turned towards his own goal by Cunningham and forced Taylor to turn around the post.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger made an attacking move just before the hour mark in replacing Gael Clichy with Kanu.

Blues manager Steve Bruce also brought on a striker – Stern John – in place of Cisse after 64 minutes but it was Mickael Forssell who almost produced an equaliser.

The on-loan Chelsea striker met a cross at the near post from Robbie Savage but he sent his header past the post.

But with 11 minutes left Bergkamp made sure of victory for Arsenal as he took Henry’s pass into his stride and chipped the ball over Taylor.

With two minutes left Henry was again the creator as Pires waltzed through the City defence before knocking the ball wide of Taylor.